A different braiding

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jttheclockman

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Thought I would try this different braiding on a couple pens. The gear Shift kit is one I owed a friend for some time and is a chrome kit with black highlights. The Zen is a black chrome kit.

The braiding is stainless steel and brass interwoven. It looks pretty cool in person. It was cast in Silmar41 resin. Thanks for looking. :)
 

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jttheclockman

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Very nice. I haven't had the best of luck casting braid in PR. Got a trick you use?

Gary

Not really. I have always followed the same methods that were talked about when braiding first hit the scene here many years ago. I think the key is twofold. One is to warm the resin before adding the accelerant and the second is definitely use a pressure pot. As I said I have been using Silmar for all time I have been casting. Have done some epoxy resin casting but save that for things like watch parts.I use between 4 and 5 drops per ounce after I warm the resin. This makes the resin thinner and has way less bubbles. I then put in pressure pot at about 50lbs. I did forget to mention that I adhere the braiding to the tube using the same resin but do not thin it. Maybe that is a trick not sure because I never did it any other way. I learned alot of this from CaptG. Hope it helps and thanks for the kind words.I am sure to add this braiding to the list of braidings I use.:):)
 

vtgaryw

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Yeah, I've never cast PR in a pressure pot, only epoxies. I do like PR though, and I've been planning on trying it in a pressure pot. Thanks.

Gary
 

jttheclockman

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Yeah, I've never cast PR in a pressure pot, only epoxies. I do like PR though, and I've been planning on trying it in a pressure pot. Thanks.

Gary

Well that could be your answer. I think PR resin needs pressure more than epoxy. I have cast epoxy without pressure as an experiment and that stuff came out great either way. I just do not take a chance being I have a pressure pot set up. :):) Good luck.
 

vtgaryw

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Yeah, I've never cast PR in a pressure pot, only epoxies. I do like PR though, and I've been planning on trying it in a pressure pot. Thanks.

Gary

Well that could be your answer. I think PR resin needs pressure more than epoxy. I have cast epoxy without pressure as an experiment and that stuff came out great either way. I just do not take a chance being I have a pressure pot set up. :):) Good luck.

Most of what I do in PR without pressure comes out fine, but two types of blanks are a bit problematic: blanks that are too smooth, that is, the PR has nothing to grab onto, and blanks that have a lot of cavities you need to force the resin into (like braid.)

Gary
 

jttheclockman

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Thanks all for the kind words. It was hard to photograph because the light hitting it and the way the weave goes through it. But it is different and I like it. I think I will use it more often in the future. Feels good making a pen or two again.:):):)
 

vtgaryw

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Yeah, I've never cast PR in a pressure pot, only epoxies. I do like PR though, and I've been planning on trying it in a pressure pot. Thanks.

Gary

Well that could be your answer. I think PR resin needs pressure more than epoxy. I have cast epoxy without pressure as an experiment and that stuff came out great either way. I just do not take a chance being I have a pressure pot set up. :):) Good luck.

JT, how long do you keep the PR under pressure? And what pressure do you use?

Txs,
-gary
 

jttheclockman

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Yeah, I've never cast PR in a pressure pot, only epoxies. I do like PR though, and I've been planning on trying it in a pressure pot. Thanks.

Gary

Well that could be your answer. I think PR resin needs pressure more than epoxy. I have cast epoxy without pressure as an experiment and that stuff came out great either way. I just do not take a chance being I have a pressure pot set up. :):) Good luck.

JT, how long do you keep the PR under pressure? And what pressure do you use?

Txs,
-gary

I usually do casting last thing that day in the shop because of the fumes if using Silmar. But as a whole I cast at 50PSI and let sit over night so say 12 hours. I have a HF pot and does not lose an ounce of pressure. After that I take blank out and if I need to turn quickly I will put in toaster oven for 1/2 hour and usually not in a hurry so I put it next to a radiator to let the warm heat cure it. Summer time stick in a window where the sun is shining. More info than you asked but that is my basic routine. Has worked for many years. :):):)
 
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